FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 12, 2012
CONTACT:
Sandra Hajt
Community Relations Specialist
(916) 640-0306
shajt@cns.gov
Heather Labbe, Andre Staley
Team Media Representatives - on site contacts
(916) 764-7305
AmeriCorps NCCC Supports the Salvation Army during the Holiday Season
BOISE, Idaho- On November 8, a team of 10 young adults began a five-week holiday assistance program at the local Salvation Army to help low income residents throughout the community.
Upon arriving from their campus in Sacramento, Calif., this AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) team is helping in the food pantry, assisting with events, and other special projects.
Having only been here for a few weeks, the team has already accomplished a great deal. Roughly two-hundred freshly painted green and blue barrels are now distributed throughout the community to collect donations and support families in need.
The AmeriCorps NCCC members also assist with sign-ups for the Salvation Toy and Joy program, which provides food for low income families, and toys for children ages twelve and under. Other members work in the food pantry to restock, package, unload, and distribute food to clients. Each client can receive one box of food containing essential food items such as milk, bread, pasta and canned goods.
“I find that AmeriCorps NCCC is very understanding of our clients, they are quick learners, and the clients are being treated well,” says Lillian Hubbell, the Family Service Supervisor. “We are happy to have their wonderful help during the busy holiday season.”
The team is scheduled to return to Sacramento this week for their winter break. They felt greatly welcomed by the Boise community and will miss the area.
AmeriCorps NCCC is a full-time, residential, national service program in which 1,200 young adults serve nationwide each year. During their 10-month term, Corps Members – all 18 to 24 years old – work on teams of eight to 12 on projects that address critical needs related to natural and other disasters, infrastructure improvement, environmental stewardship and conservation, energy conservation, and urban and rural development. Members work on a series of different projects, typically lasting six to eight weeks each, to mentor students, construct and rehabilitate low-income housing, respond to natural disasters, clean up streams, help communities develop emergency plans, and address countless other local needs. The Pacific Region campus in Sacramento is one of five regional hubs in the United States and serves eight states in the southwest part of the country. The other campuses are located in Perry Point, MD., Winton, Iowa, Vicksburg, Miss., and Denver, Co.
In exchange for their service, Corps Members receive $5,550 to help pay for college, or to pay back existing student loans. Other
benefits include a small living stipend, room and board, leadership development, increased self-confidence, and the knowledge that, through active citizenship, people can indeed make a difference. AmeriCorps NCCC is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service. The Corporation improves lives, strengthens communities, and fosters civic engagement through service and volunteering. For more information about AmeriCorps NCCC, visit the website at www.americorps.gov/nccc.
###
